|
(ATHENS, Ohio — April 30, 2015) The Ohio University Heritage College
of Osteopathic Medicine has opened a facility for conducting
clinical trials and studies involving human subjects. The Clinical &
Translational Research Unit (CTRU), which is located in Irvine Hall
on the Athens campus, provides support for all stages of clinical
research from idea development to final reporting. The Heritage
College hopes the CTRU will help take the college’s research program
to the next level, putting it on par with other institutions that
have high-profile clinical research programs. “We want the
Heritage College to be recognized as a place where investigators are
conducting cutting-edge clinical research,” said Heritage College
Executive Dean Kenneth H. Johnson, D.O. “Clinical studies that
tackle pervasive health problems bring attention to the college and
the university. They open the door to more opportunities for
collaboration and funding, which are essential to help researchers
advance medical care in our communities.”
The CTRU offers support to Ohio University faculty at all stages
of clinical research including budget development, project
coordination, subject recruitment, data collection and institutional
review board assistance.
The CTRU occupies nearly 4,000 square feet of space and is
outfitted with numerous resources to assist with clinical trials
including patient examination rooms, an exercise physiology
laboratory, imaging facilities and a laboratory processing station.
“The CTRU makes it easier for faculty to do clinical trials from
start to finish. So far it’s been very well-received because people
recognize that it’s very hard to conduct clinical trials on your
own,” said CTRU Executive Director Laura Rush, D.V.M., Ph.D. “We
help navigate the rules and regulations so scientists are free to
focus on the science.”
In addition to the executive director, the CTRU staff includes a
medical director, two research nurses, two project managers, an
administrative associate and a clinical research scientist.
“We have top-notch staff who know clinical trials, maintain the
high standards required for patient safety, and observe meticulous
record keeping,” said Rush. “Our staff are dedicated to making a
difference. They love this community and want to move health care
forward.”
The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation’s Vision
2020: Leading the Transformation of Primary Care in Ohio
award, along with Heritage College support, provided the startup
funding to launch the CTRU in the summer of 2014. Through the OHF’s
generous support for the CTRU as well as
other research initiatives, the Heritage College is
strengthening its research programs, which meets the shared goals of
both the Foundation and the college - to improve the health and
quality of life in our communities through collaborative research,
medical care and training. To
learn more, contact CTRU@ohio.edu
or (740) 566-9873.
About the CTRU
The Clinical & Translational Research Unit (CTRU) is a centralized
resource of the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic
Medicine that supports Ohio University faculty who are conducting
clinical trials and clinical studies with human subjects. The CTRU,
which is part of the Heritage College’s Office of Research & Grants,
aims to provide the best possible environment for clinical research
– one that fosters the creation of new knowledge in health care and
protects the safety and well-being of study participants. The staff
is experienced with study participants of all ages and has expertise
in a variety of therapeutic areas, including Type I and Type II
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, aging, and chronic back pain. The
CTRU supports NIH-funded trials, pharmaceutical-sponsored trials,
and a variety of college-supported pilot projects.
About the Heritage College
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is a
leader in training dedicated primary care physicians who are
prepared to address the most pervasive medical needs in the state
and the nation. Approximately 50 percent of Heritage College alumni
practice in primary care and nearly 60 percent practice in Ohio.
CARE LEADS HERE. |
